Today’s news blog article addresses an alarming issue: despite the efforts of the World Food Programme, nearly 150 million children under the age of five are stunted worldwide. These figures come from a recent World Bank report entitled “Driving Nutrition Action through the Budget: A Guide to Nutrition-Responsive Budgeting”.
This report highlights that 40% of these underweight children live in sub-Saharan Africa, which highlights the major challenges this region faces in terms of food security. Stunting in children is associated with cognitive and developmental deficits, jeopardizing their future and holding back the human capital of each affected country.
World Bank experts warn that unless urgent action is taken, the target of reducing malnutrition by 50% by 2030, set by the Sustainable Development Goals, will not be achieved. In this critical context, the World Bank emphasizes the importance of effective government action and a multi-sector nutrition response, involving sectors such as health, education, water and agriculture.
The World Bank report also emphasizes the importance of a budget that takes nutrition issues into account. Indeed, a budget specifically allocated to nutrition can play a key role in solving this global problem.
It is crucial that member countries take immediate action to address food insecurity and invest in child-friendly nutrition programs. Only by taking concrete action and implementing coordinated policies can we hope to reverse underweight children and prevent serious consequences for their development.
It is time to realize the urgency of the situation and to act in concert to ensure a better and healthier future for these millions of children. Malnutrition is not inevitable and together, by working in a coordinated way, we can make a difference and change the destiny of these children.
Join us in this fight against child stunting and commit to making nutrition a global priority. Every child matters and every action matters